2018 Buick Regal TourX Car Review: Is it the Right Car for You?

The exterior design is not unlike the smooth lines of the Regal Sportback and GS. The roofline smoothly transitions into the extended wagon tail. The chrome trim stretching around the vehicle adds a unique touch too.

The storage space can hold up to 73.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. With the seats up and functioning, that leaves about 33 cubic feet for storage.

The TourX also has the advantage of simple loading with the traditional vertical hatchback. Some models include a hands-free opening system as well. You can manage how high the hatch opens with an accessible control knob. This feature can be helpful for low ceiling garages or when long objects like kayaks are atop the car.

The vehicle also sports a wide variety of comforts in its interior. From front seats with optional power lumbar adjustments, heated steering wheel and seats, and dual climate controls. And those are only some of its advanced features.

There is also an option to include a panoramic moonroof, although that will add another $1,200 to the final price.

The Handling and suspension on the 2018 Buick Regal TourX

The Regal TourX has the Buick’s new five-link suspension for the rear. The front rides on a MacPherson strut suspension. Even with the extra inch of ground clearance, it still sits lower than the Subaru’s Outback.

The higher ride gives the 2018 Buick Regal TourX a smoother and softer ride than the Regal GS and Sportback models. However, it’s less responsive in steering. There is just enough lag that gives the wagon a sloppy feeling turn despite proper handling and grip once it’s found its path.

Power and Economy

The TourX is also Buick’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that produces 250 horsepower and a torque of 295 pound-feet. While it may sound like a decent amount of power for this size of car, the automatic transmission, a standard eight-speed, can be a bit disappointing.

While the gearbox is well-tuned for efficiency, the transmission is slow to downshift for acceleration. This aspect hurts the responsiveness, making the TourX feel slow when it’s time to get moving faster.

The All-wheel drive is standard and sophisticated. The system at the rear axle uses two clutches controlled electronically, allowing the vehicle to send torque to a single rear wheel. This feature allows the car to move forward even with no traction on the other three wheels.

The Regal TourX has 21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway with a combined mpg of 24. The Subaru Outback, however, is yet again the TourX’s foil with a 28-mpg combined estimate.

IntelliLink Tech

The cabin contains a seven-inch IntelliLink infotainment system on the dashboard. Want to upgrade to eight-inches? Grab the Sight and Sounds upgrade package for that and more features. That will, however, add $1,095 to the cost.

The IntelliLink has rudimentary graphics, particularly in the maps. The system seems a bit dated. However, the structure is still good with a robust menu of organization.

You can listen to various audio via USB, HD and satellite radio, and Bluetooth. A few onboard audio streaming apps such as Pandora Radio and Fox Sports take advantage of the 4G LTE data connection. You do, however, need a subscription to keep the data connection. But the vehicle does come with a few months’ trial.

In addition to all those perks, there’s the typical Android Auto and Apple CarPlay features. It’s recommended to connect your smartphone to the car to access better graphics that highlight the large display.

The 2018 Buick Regal TourX also sports a rear camera for safe parking. This feature is a part of many aimed towards monitoring new drivers.

Pricing and competition

The Regal TourX 2018 starts at $30,990 that includes the $995 destination charge. If you want the best driver aid tech, the total will come to about $36,015 for the Essence model. With the Sights and Sounds package atop all that, you’re looking at $40,005.

The Subaru Outback, in comparison, is better for off-road driving, has better efficiency on the tarmac and even offers drivers aid and cabin tech like that in the TourX Essence for nearly two grand less.

For its final price with all trimmings included, the TourX seems a bit expensive with such a low-quality feeling interior. While it has a lot of features, the execution of the additions seems short of the premium price.